Latest update November 15th, 2024 1:00 AM
Sunshine aiming for clean sweep at ORSCA
By Ravendra Madholall
Kaieteur Sports – Defending Regular Season 20-overs champion Sunshine is aiming for all three trophies this year in the Ontario Round-Arm Softball Cricket Association’s (ORSCA) various tournaments.
Anil Mahadeo
In an exclusive interview with skipper and Canada-based Guyanese Anil Mahadeo, the versatile all-rounder was full of confidence that his team is ready to churn out some scintillating performances.
In 2022, Sunshine was dethroned in the 10-over version by Brampton Gladiators while in the 15-overs, which was absent for a while, Masters emerged victorious.
For the 20-overs format, Sunshine retained the championship in the final engagement with Masters.
“Brand new season and we [are] up for it,” Mahadeo disclosed.
The action is slated to bowl off on Sunday with a number of matches across the Greater Toronto Area with 20-overs round-robin competition.
Mahadeo spoke about his team’s balance, their eagerness to go out there and a host of other things.
“Everyone is looking forward to the softball cricket season; we would like to have fun again and play some competitive cricket; my team is very anxious to get on the field as well,” the vastly experienced right-hander commented.
In the 2022 edition, seasoned campaigner like Imran Ali dominated with the bat reeling few centuries in every version and he is expected to lead the batting department again.
Other experienced players former Guyana and West Indies youth batsman Hemnarine Chattergoon, Riaz Kadir, Jeetendra Beharry, Anil Etwaroo, Ramiz Mohamed just to name a few are talented enough to come to fore.
“Same set of guys from last year and that will give us tremendous confidence to compete but as I said it is about good cricket; it is about playing the best brand of cricket and try come out victorious,” Mahadeo reiterated.
Queried on what might have gone wrong in the most exciting and exhilarating format (10-10) last year after they suffered elimination at the semi-final juncture, Mahadeo responded: “I think Masters played good and aggressive cricket; our team played hard as well but we might have just lapsed somewhere on the field,” Mahadeo pointed-out.
According to Mahadeo, the bowling will hinge around the veteran Rajesh Willie and solid contribution is anticipated from Ali, Chattergoon, Ryan Dhoray, Beharry, Hemraj Harinarain, Navin Sookhoo among others.
“I think in T20 cricket, the bowling is very much vital whether you are bowling first or last; we were on target for most of the time; the guys used their experience well and bowled smartly too; we just have to be that tactical again,” an enthusiastic Mahedeo related.
In wrapping up, Mahadeo expressed his profound gratitude to all his teammates for their dedication last year and also the owner of the team: Paris. He further lauded the ORSCA for another well-organised year which was another demonstration of the executives’ continued commitment to keep the grassroots’ game vivacious.
The season is scheduled to culminate in late September. Notably, the ORSCA was formed in 2011.
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